Closure cap and cup holder



Dec. 27, F c RODMAN CLOSURE CAP AND CUP HOLDER Filed March 11, 1955 tlnited States Patent CLOSURE CAP AND CUP HOLDER Francis C. Rodman, Garden City, N. Y., assignor to American Seal-Kap Corporation of Delaware, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application March 11, 1953, Serial No. 341,761

2 Claims. (Cl. 2291.5)

This invention relates to closure caps for paper cups and the like and has for an object to provide a closure cap which may be converted into a cup holder.

Another object is to provide a cap which is convertible into a holder and handle for holding the cup for drinking.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

Specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the acompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a standard paper cup with the cap in place as a closure;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 2, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cap with the handle partly folded;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a paper cup showing the han dle fully folded and the holder in use;

Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section of a cup with a flat disc closure embodying the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the disc closure converted into a holder.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, a cap embodying the invention is shown as applied to a closure for a tapered paper cup 10 having a bottom 11 and a slightly flared side wall 12 having a disc seating groove 25 and terminating at the top in a rolled bead 13 which reinforces the top and also improves the appearance of the cup.

The cap comprises a central flat diaphragm or disc and a U-shaped rim 21. The rim 21 is composed of an upstanding inner wall 22, a top wall 23 and an outer skirt 24. The inner wall 22 may be offset to form a shoulder 26 for stacking and for improving the seal. The outer surface of the upstanding wall 22 seats in the cup adjacent the groove 25 and at the shoulder 26 to insure effective seals as described in co-pending application Serial Number 288,451, filed May 17, 1952, now abandoned.

In order to adapt the cap for use as a cup holder the diaphragm 20 is scored or weakened near its periphery for a substantial portion of its circumferential distance by a score line 27 the ends of which are spaced apart to leave an unscored hinge portion 28. The central portion of the disphragm 20 within the score line 27 is creased by radial crease lines 29 and 30. The crease lines 29 terminate at the opposite ends of the hinge portion 28 and the crease line 30 extends normal to such hinge portion.

The cap is used as a closure in the usual way. When the cap is removed it is converted into a holder and handle by pressing the central diaphragm down to break the paper along the score line 27 as indicated in Fig. 4. The

detached central portion 31 is then folded down along its unscored or hinge portion 28. At the same time the two side wings 32 are folded together along the crease lines 29 and 30 to form a handle as shown in Fig. 5, leaving an annular flange 33 with the upstanding rim 21.

The cup is inserted in the flange 33 with the handle folded down so that the triangular portion 34 between the crease lines 29 resting against the cup supports the cup in the holder. The cup can then be supported by the handle formed by the folded over wings 32. The upstanding rim 21 serves as a strengthening member to prevent the diaphragm from tearing at the sides of the hinge portion. The size of the opening formed by the score line 27 is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the cup so as to cause the cup to pass through the opening to the desired depth.

Figs. 6 to 7 illustrate the invention as applied to a disc closure. A disc 40 is provided with score line 27 and crease lines 29 and 33 identical with those above described. When the center is folded down and back as in Fig. 7 a ring 41 is formed in which the cup may be inserted. The handle then rests against the cup as in Fig. 5.

Various modifications may be made in the construction Without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined cap and holder for flaring walled cups having large and small ends, comprising a closure disc of a size to seat in the large end of said cup, said disc having a circular breakable score line spaced from its outer edge to form a separable center portion within a surrounding annular flange having an inside diameter to receive the small end of said cup, said score line being interrupted over a portion of its length to leave an unscored hinge portion about which said center portion can be bent to expose said annular flange, said center portion being creased along crease lines extending from opposite ends of said interrupted score line and meeting at a point to form a central triangular area to bear against the cup wall and side wings which fold together along said crease lines to form a handle.

2. A combined cap and holder for flaring walled cups having large and small ends with a pouring lip at its large end, comprising a closure disc of a size to seat in the large end of said cup and an upstanding annular U-shaped pouring lip housing at its periphery to cover said pouring lip, said disc having a circular breakable score line spaced from its outer edge to form a separable center portion within a surrounding annular flange having an inside diameter to receive the small end of said cup, said score line being interrupted over a portion of its length to leave an unscored hinge portion about which said center portion can be bent to expose said annular flange, said center portion being creased along crease lines extending from opposite ends of said interrupted score line and meeting at a point to form a central triangular area to bear against the cup wall and side wings which fold together along said crease lines to form a handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,625,335 Schneider Apr. 19, 1927 2,317,067 Knaust Apr. 20, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 541,225 Great Britain Nov. 18, 1941 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 

